GURU GOSSIP & CONTROVERSY

Asaram Bapu

Asaram Bapu has been jailed for sexually assaulting a girl in his Ashram. A witness in the case was shot on his way home from the Ashram. He was also investigated because of the mysterious disappearance of two boys. He has over 400 Ashrams, mostly in India.

Baba Ramdev

Baba Ramdev has controversially claimed that yoga and breathing practices could cure all cancers, AIDS, and even homosexuality. He's against sexual education in schools. He once escaped from police by wearing women's clothing.

Chandraswami

Chandraswami is being investigated for his role in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case. He's been fined for several financial irregularities. Arrested in 1996 on charges that he defrauded someone of $100,000.

Jayendra Saraswati

Jayendra Saraswati is one of two prime suspects in the murder of a manager of a temple. Also, an auditor looking into missing temple gold claimed Jayendra Saraswati sent goons to his house to intimidate him.

Baba Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh

Baba Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh was charged with sexually assaulting some of his women followers. He's under investigation for the murder of a temple manager and journalist.

Swami Premananda

Accused of raping 13 women and killing a Sri Lankan male who was visiting one of his Ashrams.

Ichchadhari Sant

Ichchadhari Sant was arrested for running a prostitution ring, using a massage parlor as a front. He runs his own security service, owns many properties, and has ties to local politicians.

Swami Sadachari

Swami Sadachari was arrested for running a brothel.

Raadhe Maa

Raadhe Maa has sparked controversy in India for wearing sexy dresses and dancing to Bollywood music. She allows her followers to kiss and carry her. She was summoned for questioning in a dowry case where alleged mental and physical torture took place by her followers, on her order. A poor family committed suicide after giving her money in exchange for promises that it would improve their lives, but nothing happened.

Kripalu Maharaj

Kripalu Maharaj has been accused of sexually taking advantage of some of his female followers.

Swami Muktananda

Swami Muktananda claimed to be celibate and advocated the same for all his devotees, yet regularly had sex with many of his female followers. He became very wealthy.

Bikram Choudhury

At his height, Bikram had over 1,000 "hot" yoga studios around the world bearing his name and was featured on the American TV series "60 Minutes." In 2016, he was successfully sued for sexually molesting female employees and cheating in his business dealings. Facing large civil payments, rumor has it that Bikram fled to his native home in Calcutta, India, leaving behind many Rolls-Royce automobiles and a Beverly Hills mansion.